Find Printing and Publishing expertise in Swaziland

The majority of publishers in Swaziland are academic, including many local and international companies. Most books are imported from South Africa and most of the textbooks used in schools and colleges in Swaziland are published in South Africa, the USA or the UK. Academic Publishers, based in Matsapha publishes books for tertiary education, whilst TTI Publishing Ltd., based in Manzini publishes books and journals. Many journals have also been published with BioMed Central, a STM (science, technology and medicine) publisher. In terms of international publishers, Longman, Macmillan and Pearson Swaziland are based in the country. The majority of educational materials are sold through Websters Bookshop in Mbabane.

The Swaziland National Council of Arts and Culture is a government agency set up to ‘preserve and promote’ the arts and culture in the country. The organisation is working to enhance the production of local Swazi literature.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2012–13, Swaziland is ranked 69 out of 144 countries with a score of 3.6 out of 7.0 for intellectual property protection. Bordering country South Africa is placed 20 out of 144 countries with a score of 5.3 out of 7.0, whereas Mozambique is situated 128 out of 144 countries with a score of 2.6 out of 7.0.

There is a market for education publishing in Swaziland due to the country’s main university: the University of Swaziland. The digital age in publishing has been established in Swaziland with open access developments currently starting in Swaziland due to EIFL and UNESCO.

There are no international book fairs; however organisations such as the African Library Project work to develop literacy and education in Africa.

There is a well-established printing industry, producing newspapers, magazines, marketing materials and stationery. Swaziland Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd. print the country’s Government Gazette whilst also offering other printing solutions. Printpak (Pty) Ltd. are also commercial printers in Swaziland and are situated in Mbabane.